Perimeter


Lesson Plan Title

Created By: Melanie Campbell

Activity Overview
Introduce students to the concept of perimeter. Place precut figures under clear vinyl. In order for students to utilize Bee-Bot steps for measurement, do not use a grid. (See photo) Have students program Bee-Bot to travel around the outside edges of the shapes. They should count Bee-Bots steps as he travels around the shape in order to find the perimeter of the shape.

Activity Objectives
The student will define perimeter.
The student will program Bee-Bot to travel around the outside edges of a shape.
The student will count Bee-Bots steps around the outside edges of a shape to find its perimeter.

Concepts Addressed
perimeter

Extensions/Adaptations
• Once students measure the length of a side with Bee-Bot steps, they can post a sticky note to indicate the length in Bee-Bot steps.
• To help students remember the meaning of perimeter, sing the following song to the tune of Here We Go Round the Mulberry Bush.

Perimeter is the distance around,
the distance around,
the distance around.
Perimeter is the distance around
the edges of a shape.

• Have students make a prediction about the figure's perimeter before they measure.

Literature

Web Resources

A Maths Dictionary for Kids 2007 by Jenny Eather
http://www.teachers.ash.org.au/jeather/maths/dictionary.html

Adam Ant Explores Perimeter
http://www.beaconlearningcenter.com/weblessons/adamant/

Bitesize Maths
http://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/ks3bitesize/maths/measures/perimeter_1_intro.shtml

Area and Perimeter
http://www.bgfl.org/bgfl/custom/resources_ftp/client_ftp/ks2/maths/perimeter_and_area/index.html

Perimeter Explorer
http://www.shodor.org/interactivate/activities/PerimeterExplorer/

Materials needed
Bee-Bots
Clear Vinyl
Cut-out squares and rectangles of various sizes that accurately match Bee-Bots steps.

Samples/photos/handouts

Perimeter.jpg
Use sticky note around edges of figure to indicate number of Bee-Bot steps.

Perimeter4.jpg
1st Graders
Bee-Bot_Placement.jpg
Place GO right on the corner to begin measurement.

Perimeter2.JPG
Finding the Perimeter

Testing of perimeter:
My preK students did this lesson with smaller shapes at the math center. We used unifix cubes, six inch rulers, measuring tape and post it notes to estimate the number of spaces to travel. This went well with use of asking questions to help guide my students on how to go around the shape. I am not sure they grasped the concept of "perimeter" but they did understand how many steps it took to go around the outside of a shape. They did not do the song. I felt this was a very effective lesson for non standard and standard measurement which was our goal this week in the center.
Carolyn Brown
January 24, 2008